How To Overcome Post-Oireachtas Depression

By Ally Giannini

Ally Giannini is an Open Champion dancer for the Lenihan School of Irish Dance as well as a student at Fairfield University. She loves keeping updated on all things Irish Dance. For more from Ally, follow her on twitter @ally_geeniee019.

ast week I wrote about staying motivated over the holidays. One of the hardest things to overcome at this time of the year is the Post-Oireachtas Depression. I have seen #postoireachtasdepression all over twitter in the last week or so. You can experience Post-Oireachtas Depression whether you were thrilled or devastated by your result at the Oireachtas. This happens to all Irish Dance enthusiasts because we’re all in the “now what?” stage. We spend so much time building up to this event that we become emotionally exhausted as well as physically exhausted after its done.

The Oireachtas gives us something to think about all the time because it is a high stakes qualifying event that shapes our competition season. Before the Oireachtas, I find myself dancing my steps with my fingers in all of my classes. After the Oireachtas, I don’t know what to do with my hands. The weeks after the Oireachtas are spent mentally reliving all the fun experiences had with friends and endlessly perusing photos.

The best way to fight the Post-Oireachtas depression is to keep looking forward. Remember the best parts of the event and don’t dwell on the bad parts. I try to focus on making new memories with my dance friends and my family around this time of year. While Irish Dance is a huge part of my life, it is not the center of my life. It is easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of the Oireachtas and forget to maintain a balance in all the other areas of life. If you are feeling the effects of the Post-Oireachtas Depression, try making a list of all the other things you have to look forward to. The Oireachtas might seem like the be all and end all but after some thought its just one wonderful part of the dancing year.